Seminar

Protein engineering and biofunctional nanostructures

Aitziber López Kortajarena, PhD

In Dr. Lopez Kortajarena s laboratory they use repeat proteins as building blocks to develop a modular versatile platform for the fabrication of multiple protein-based hybrid functional nanostructures and biomaterials for their use in different applications including molecular electronics, optical plasmonics, catalysis, and photoactive systems among others. They combine rational protein engineering, structural biology and biophysical approaches to generate and characterize functional nanostructures and materials. In addition, they develop new methodologies for the generation of versatile functional nanoparticles for biomedical applications from disease treatment to imaging. They pay special attention to functionalization with biomolecules and to the generation of final formulations with optimal properties including their biocompatibility and stability, selective drug release and targeting capabilities, for being used under clinically relevant conditions.